QUAIL; BOB WHITE. 
ORTYX VIRGINIANUS 
HE quail is said to be a general inhabitant of North 
America, but familiar as I have been with almost all 
parts of Vermont for more than thirty years, 1 have seen 
only one quail in the State, and he was evidently a 
“tramp.” I heard him just at night, the first day of 
July, 1884. Did not get sight of him till the next morn- 
ing, when he came out into the sun, stood on the top rail 
of a fence, warmed himself, and whistled his spirited, 
forceful tune, his solid little body swelling and throbbing 
at every note, especially when he rose to the tonic. 
I was prepared for him, and made an exact copy of 
what he gave me: — 
>A > > 
int iY =. 8 #- a. a ity 
Bob, Bob white, Bob white, Bob, Bob white. 
After the performance he stood, evidently listening for 
a reply; none came, and without another note he disap- 
peared, to be seen no more. 
The quail is about one-half the size of our partridge, 
and resembles it in plumage and style of flight. It seems 
a little strange that the time of incubation should be four 
